Are People Who Take Lots of Selfies Really Narcissists?

The small-scale study wasn’t meant to make predictions or recommendations about people based on their selfie type, but the authors say it lays the groundwork for larger research projects that may do just that.

For example, the findings could be used to “as a launching pad to explore the social, economic, and psychological effects of selfies, and how they sustain social media platforms, human interaction, and personal identity,” they wrote in their paper.

Ultimately, says Holiday, understanding why people take selfies may help researchers better understand how the iconic snapshots can shape our thoughts, our moods, and our lives. And in a world where digital media is so ubiquitous, that’s important.

“If I post a selfie and get a response from 100 people or 500 people, that does something to me personally—my motivations, my psyche,” he says. “Identifying who we are, and helping to figure out the kind of people we want to be, can be helpful—whether it’s improving relationships, increasing self esteem, or setting new goals for ourselves.”